How Dirty Is Your Makeup?

If a makeup artist opens his/her kit and you see the following...proceed with caution or RUN! 

• Brown &/or discolored brushes
• Using mascara and lip products directly from the tube (no disposable wands)
• Powder spills inside bags containers
• Dirty product containers/palettes/
• No hand sanitizers/wipes/alcohol
• Dirty sponges

Keep your makeup clean and fresh. Place a calendar entry in your phone to remind you when to replace items. Please observe the makeup artists that you hire. Their kit should be spotless and clean.  If you're with a large party, observe the makeup artist. Dirty brushes should be separated from clean ones and not re-used. Hands should be washed/wiped/ sanitized between clients. 

I'm such a germaphobe. I'm signing out so I can clean my kit!

To all my makeup wearing friends & artists, feel free to chime in with your suggestions :) 

Google It

Lately I've been getting alot of texts and emails from other artists asking specific (makeup related) questions that can be answered relatively easily by simply taking the time to "Google It".

I am grateful to be a resource to them; but, sometimes you have to take the initiative and do the background info on you own. 

Over time I've had new experiences i.e. doing makeup for a cross dressing client,

My Experience Working for MAC Cosmetics: Its Not For Everyone

Aspiring artists and clients always ask about my experience working for MAC Cosmetics. Over the years I've heard tons of varying opinions about products, the level of artistry, hiring issues and customer service. What I will say may surprise you but this is strictly my opinion based on my experience. I have worked for MAC for several years in various locations so I have seen it all.

If you are a person who does not like change, then working in fashion/beauty/entertainment business is not for you. Professions in this industry require a great amount of flexibility and innovation.

Working for MAC Cosmetics has been one of the best experiences in my career as a makeup artist. Yes, I said it and lemme repeat: Working for MAC Cosmetics has been one of the best experiences in my career as a makeup artist.

Five Attitudes You Should Eliminate If You Plan to Work for MAC Cosmetics (or any other makeup brand)

As a MAC alumni, I get a lot of calls from aspiring makeup artists asking if they should work for MAC. It’s not an easy conversation. For one, MAC is not the easiest job to land. There are countless interviews (at least 3). You have to have something special to be a MAC artist. It’s not for everyone; yet, everyone thinks they can do it...NOT! Call me what you want, but I love that company. They have strong branding and they never compromise. Their products are always evolving.

I am a MAC girl. I love other brands too, but I don’t know of one artist who does not have a MAC product in their kit. 

Enough of the sappy-ness, here are my 5ive Attitudes You Should Eliminate If You Plan to Work for MAC Cosmetics (or any other makeup brand)

1. You don’t like teamwork.

Being a makeup artist involves a considerable amount of collaboration and teamwork. On counter, we also share products and knowledge. You will always hear “Who has a Blacktrack or Spiked?” by artists searching for products at one of their colleagues work stations. Artists always ask each for help during foundation matching. Every artist sees something different. Someone is always there to offer tips and tricks on new products. At the end of the night, everyone has to assist with cleaning the store. So, it’s never just about YOU! You have to work as a unit. Working at MAC will prepare you for working on set with other creatives (photographers, hairstylists, manicurists, wardrobe stylist, etc.)

2. You don’t like change.

Freelance Notes: Don't Stress Over Perceived Missed Opprtunities

During the summer, I missed a day of shooting at the gun range with my friends to meet with an agency in New York. To say I felt excited would be an understatement. I was floating. My meeting was awesome! The energy was cosmic.

One of the owners asks me to stay in the city to assist with a job the following day. I had to decline because of 2 photo shoots back home. Needless to say, work back home flopped: model cancelled on one shoot and half the models were present for the other.

I sent an email (working on getting my personal thank you cards) to the agency following up on our meeting. All week long, I wondered to myself, ‘what would've happened if I stayed’? I ran this past Glen. He told me to stop dwelling on it. Everything is not meant to be. No more singing the “should of, would of, could of’s”

Weeks later, I get a call from the agency asking if I was available to assist with a new client project. Since then, I've gotten calls to work on a bi-weekly basis.

We can’t dwell over perceived missed opportunities. As long as you’re prepared, there will be tons of new opportunities that may change your life.

You have to have faith that everything you want will come to fruition. It may not happen when we want it; but, it will happen.

Let it go. Keep working and you’ll be surprised at what your future holds.

Love,
Jamaya

Freelance Notes: Just a Little Push

I have met numerous women and men who expose their dreams to me. There are 3 people that are currently making it happen. I am very proud of their journeys. I’m so elated that I was able to inspire them to pursue their dreams.

This life isn't for everybody. Along with the dream, comes hard work, persistence and dedication. I have found myself through this journey.

Sometimes people just need a little push: a pep talk, venting session, the hard truth, a dose of reality, validation and encouragement. That little nudge often leads to big results.

Keep pushing!

Love,
Jamaya

Business + Personal: Working with Friends

In business we work with people that we have mutual interests with. Sometimes friendships are developed during this process. Heck, it can be inevitable at times. Your creative colleagues are sometimes the only folks who you could watch a documentary on Helvetica (yes, the font). We can be nerds with these folks and they really get it or add it to it. You may even have a friend that was your 1st client and continues to support you through your process. Support i.e. embarking on business ventures together and hiring you for personal projects.

Just because we’re friends, you don’t have a pass to be late for a job. Or to forget about an appointment. Or to jeopardize your clients for the sake of a project with your friend. Or to assume that I will work with you on a project when I said “maybe”.

Freelance Notes: Look the Part, Play the Part

Question:

What is your best yet easiest method of promotion: YOU

look the part, play the part

Whenever I’m in the public eye, I am on. I never know who I will meet. No, I do not wear a full face everyday. I keep it simple with tinted moisturizer, concealer, mascara, bronzer. I keep my skin healthy, nails manicured and hair groomed. If I’m tired, I’ll throw on a pair of $5.80 shades from Forever21.

I wear what I like but I never try to hard. Its so apparent. I just go with my feelings. I am aware of trends; yet, I am not a slave to fashion.

Freelance Notes: You Can't Shovel Someone Else's Snow Until You Shovel Your Own

I was involved in an accident on the light rail during early spring. I suffered from whiplash and a  few sprains. I started seeing Doc for physical therapy 3 times a week. Doc is a springy, energetic, guy in his early 50’s. One day I asked him if he was a hippie back in Woodstock.

I loved visiting his office.His optimism always invigorated my day. The atmosphere was inviting and I felt like I was in a Cheers episode. Whenever I called the office, they always answered the phone “Hey Ms. Moore”. They have caller id but it still felt so personal.

Unlike other therapy offices, I actually saw Doc everyday.  It was amazing watching someone follow their passion and build a career from it. His patients definitely feel the love (I did!)

Freelance Notes: Am I Good Enough?

Am I good enough?

This is a question that often accompanies fear and self doubt. Once you believe you are deserving of goodness, there are no boundaries to what you heart can desire. Open up, tear down those walls and dream. 

Trust me, don't let others opinions determine your worth.

We are online hundreds of hours a week. Getting exposed to other artists, entrepreneurs, etc. don't get caught up in comparing your work to their. Followers, likes, retweets DONT mean anything if the work is not GOOD. Life is not a Venn diagram. No comparing & contrasting. Celebrate what makes you different and leverage it.



Love,
Jamaya